Door fastener



.June24,1947. v ,B. U 2,422,771

nook FASTENER Filed April 13, 1945 IN V EN TOR, Chase .B/um

Patented June 24, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFICE DOOR FASTENER chase Blum, Cincinnati Ohio Application April 13, 1945, Serial No. 588.112

11 Claims. (01. 292-79) This invention relates to improvements in fasteners, particularly door fasteners or latches as ployed on large heavy doors such for example as refrigeratordoors, storage vault doors, and the like.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a door fastener that is of durable construction and efficient in operation to ensure the'tight closing of doors of the general character abov mentioned.

Another object of thi invention is the provision of a door fastener that i simple and economical to manufacture and install, and embodying sturdy parts to insure long life and smooth operation.

Another object is to provide a device of the kind referred to, in which allof the working parts are encased and protected from injury by impact and by exposure to. dirt, water, dust and other foreign substances.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention should be readily apparent by reference to the following specification considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a device embodying the improvements of this invention.

.Fig. 2 isan enlarged, cross-sectional View of the fastener of this invention as seen from line 2,2 of Fig. 1. Fig.3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the parts of the fastener in a second position.

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view through the fastener taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken at right angles to that of Fig. 4 on line 5-5 of said Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6-of Fig. 3.

Fig. '7 is'a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 2, partly in elevation and partly in section, showing amodification in the latch plate and forming a detail of the invention.

Throughout the several views of the drawings, similar reference characters are employed to denote the same or similar parts.

The fastener is illustrated as applied to the door of a refrigerator but it is to be understood that refrigerator doors are not the sole use to which it may be applied. As shown in the drawings, the reference character In indicates the front or, a wall of a refrigerator having an opening .ll therein, closed by a door l2 hingedly connected'to wall In by hinges l 3. The door may be actuatedabout its hinge pins by a handle l4 securedto the door at the-edge opposite to that which carries the hinges I3. The door is held in closed position by the fastener or latch of this invention indicated in' general by the reference numeral l 5, and carried by the wall In, to cooperate with a latch plate l6 carried by the door l2.

The door fastener comprises a supporting bracket l1 having a body portion of generally U-shaped cross section, and which includes a back portion [8 and arms l9 and 20 extending respectively one from each side of the back portion IS. The lower ends of the arms 19 and 20 are respectively outwardly disposed as at 2| and 22 forming wings through which the supporting bracket I1 is secured, by screws 23, to the reirigerator front or wall In. The bracket arm l9 and 20 are provided with aligned perforations in each'of which is a bushing 24 and 25 for the latch or fastener pivot shaft 26. v

The latch or fastener proper comprises a latch element carrier 21, and a shaft retainer 28. The latch element carrier has a back member 29 and side members 30 and 3| respectively, projecting one from each side of the back member. Below the back member, the side members 30 and 3| are provided with aligned apertures, through which the pivot shaft 26 extends. The forward ends of the side members 30 and 3| near their upper edges, are provided with aligned apertures for rotatably supporting a first roller shaft 32 and near their lower edges with other aligned apertures for rotatably supporting a second roller shaft 33. Rotatably mounted on said roller shafts are respectively a first roller 34, and a second roller 35. The shaft retainer 28 has substantially the same'cross-section' as the latch elements carrier, and includes aback member '36 from each side of which projects a side member 31 and- 38. These side members, "similar to side members 30 and'3l, are provided with aligned apertures for the latch pivot shaft 26. Said side members 31 and 38 do not carry the roller shafts 32 and 33, but they form end closures for the roller shaft apertures to prevent th shafts from being inadvertently dislodged from their carrier.

By reference to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, it will be noted that the latch elements carrier 27 and shaft retainer 28 are formed to be nested, with their respective back members 29 and 36 in close contact and their side members 30 and 3| and 37 and 38 likewise in close contact. It should be noted that the said carrier and retainer are operated as a'unit about the latch pivot shaft 26. The said carrier-retainer unit operates, that is oscillates, from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3, between the arms l9 and 20 of the supporting bracket [1. To eliminate play and lateral movement between these parts and provide a desirable bearing, the pivot shaft bushings 24 and 25 are each provided with a radial flange 39, thereby affording aface bearing for the outer side of the carrier-retainer unit during its oscillations.

The supporting bracket sides 19 and 2|], below the latch pivot shaft apertures, and slightly rearwardly thereof, are provided with apertures in alignment with one another through which extends a spring yoke pivot shaft 40. The ends of the shaft 4!! beyond the supporting bracket are received in bushings 4| and 42 carried by the lower ends of spring abutment brackets 43 and 44. The brackets 43 and 44 are each L-sha'ped cross section, having the bushings M and. 42in one leg 45 thereof, and an aperture in each-of the remaining legs 45 through which passes the arms;

41 and 48 of U-shaped spring yoke 49. The base 59 of the yoke 49 extends across the car-. rier retainer 7 unit and is received in aligned notches 51, and 52 in said unit sides. A spring 53enlcircles each of the yokefarins 41 and 48, abutting on its upper en with the leg as, of its bracket and abutting on its lower end with a nut 54 "threaded on thelower end of. its yoke arm. Thelnuts 54 may be adjustably threaded (into their respective yoke arms to properly compress the 's'prihgs 53, and the nuts may be retained in adjusted position by cotter pins sspassmg therethroughand through slots 55 in the lower ends ofthe yokelarnis. V

The spring yoke 43 and parts associatedtherewith 'a'reroscillate'd with the latch parts on the bushings 41" and 4:2 outside-the supporting bracke et' [1, and to eliminate play and lateral movement between these parts the saidfbush'ings 41 and 42 are each provided with a radial flange providing a face bearing for the outer sides Of'the supporting bracket I11,

It is believed that the operation of the fastener or latch is obvious from the drawings, particularly Figs} and 3, but briefly isasfollows:

As' will be noted from the drawings, and as; was'r'rientioned above, the spring yoke pivot shaft 4D has. its 'aXis disposed slightly r-earwardly of the fastenerror latch proper pivot shaftlfi. and the "rings 53, are under compression. Withthe part's in the position of Fig. the spring yoke tends t6 oscillate the carrier-retainer unit in a clockwise direction since the spring pull is onthe right of the pivot shaft 25 This movement of the carrier-retainer'uriit is limited by the en: gagement of the lower edge of ba ck members 29. and 35? with the upper edge of the back portion l8 time supporting bracket, as seen most-clearly m fe we are m he'mfifien pw in 2 the spring, yoke tends to oscillate the carrier retainer unitv in a counter-clockwise direction since the spring pull is on the left of the pivotfshaft E'BL This movement of the carrier retainer unit islimited bythe door engaging the refrigerator front or wall 1,0,and the force of the spring causes the tight closing of the-door around the op ning 11.

In order to actuate or oscillate the latch mechanism fizorn the position of Fig. 2, to that of Fig. 3, it is only necessary to exert a pull on the door handle I4 whereupon the latchplatelip -51 engaging the first roller 3'4 oscillates the fastening'mechanisin in a clockwise direction, to the point where the force of springs 53 through the yoke All, snaps the latching. mechanism to the open position. Conversely, a push ont-he handle [4 with the door in the position of Fig. 2, causes the latch plate lip 51 to engage the second roller 35 and oscillate the fastening mechanism in a counter-clockwise direction to the point where the springs 53 and yoke 49 snap the latching mechanism to the operative position for holding the door tightly closed.

In Fig. 7 is shown a modification of the latch plate 16 in that the lip 51 is elevated above the plate proper to accommodate a thinner door, for example, than that illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, or to permit the-use of a door flush with the surface of the front or wall II). It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made in the relation of the latch plate proper and its lip.

The entire fastening or latching mechanism is adapted tobe enclosed in a housing or cover 58 which, to accommodate the operation of the latch elements or rollers 34 and 35, has its front 59 provided with an opening 60. The cover 58 is secured in. place by screws fil projecting through the cover intothe supporting bracket back portion l8] and through the cover from; into lugs 62 upstanding from the supporting'bracket wings I l and 22. 7

What is claimed is:

1.. In. a'fastener of the class described, the com bination of a supporting brack i, a perforated latching elements carrier, latching elements each including a roller shaft shiftable axially in the carrier perforations, a shaft retainer including spaced arms embracing the latching elements carrier andloverlying the roller shaft ends to prevent axial shiftingvof the shafts relative tothe carrier, means for oscillatably mounting the latching. elements carrier and; shaft retainer as a'uni-t on the supponting bracket for oscillation to and from fastening and unfastening positions, andspring means pivotallyvmounted on said supcarrier and shaft retainer in their fastening and mia e esiti e 2.'In a fastener of the class described, the combination, of; a supporting bracket, a, perforated latching' elements carrier, latching ele.- ments each includingv a roller shaft shiftable axially in the carrier perforations, a. shaft retainer including spaced arms, embracing the latching elen' ients carrier and overlying 111181 011.- er shaft ends to prevent axial shifting of. the

shafts relative to the carrier, means for hscillatably mounting thelatclnng. elements carrier and shaft retainer as aunit on thessupporting bracket for oscillation, to and from, fastening. and unfastoning positions, cooperating, abutment means .on said latching elements, carrier-shaft retaining unit and supporting bracket. determining the unlatched position, and yielding pivotally carried by the supporting bracket and connected to the latching elements carrier retaining uni-t for holdin the. abutment means intconta'ct and for holding the latching elements, carrier-shaft retaining, unit in fastening position.

3. In afastener of the class; described, a latch- -ing unit comprising a latching element-s carrier of general U -shape, including spaced parallel perforated arms, shafts rotatably mounted in perforations of the carrier arms, rollers mounted on said shafts, a shaft retainer of the same general shape as the carrier and including spaced arms embracing, the latching elements carrier arms, the shaft retainer arms abutting the ends of; the latching elements shafts the-carrier. to preclude axial shifting of theshafts, rand for pivotally mounting thelatching for usporting bracket for holding the iatchnig elements cillation to and from fastening and unfaste'ning positions;

. 4-.- In a fastener, of the class described, the combination ofiajsupporting bracket, a latching unit comprising a latching elements carrier of general U -shape, shafts rotatably mounted in the arms of the carrier, rollers rotatably mounted on said shafts, a shaft retainer of generalU-shape embracing the latching elements .carrier whose arms retain the latching elements shafts in the carrier, means for pivotallymounting the latching uniton the supporting bracket for oscillation to'and from fastening and unfastening positions, a ,U-shapedyokehaving:its base connected with the latching unit, yoke brackets pivotally mounted on the supporting bracket and connected with the yoke arms, and spring means on said yoke arms yieldably reacting on the yoke brackets for effecting the oscillation of the latching unit and retaining the same in fastening and uniastening positions.

5. A fastener for use with a swinging door and adapted to be operated by a plate on the door comprising a first latching roller contacting the door plate when the door is in a closed position, a second latching roller contacting the door plate when the door is ajar, a U-shaped carrier including a pair of perforated spaced arms, a shaft for each latching roller rotatably mounted in the perforations of the carrier arms, a U- shaped retainer including spaced imperforate arms embracing the carrier and abutting the shaft ends to prevent disassociation of the shafts from the carrier, means for oscillatably mounting the carrier and parts associated therewith to efiect contact of the latching rollers and door plate, said door plate upon movement of the \door initiating oscillation of the carrier and parts associated therewith through the latchin roller contacted thereby, and yielding means for completing the oscillation of the carrier and parts carried thereby, and holding same in its oscillated position until reverse oscillation is initiated by the door.

6. A fastener for use with a swinging door and adapted to be operated by a plate on the door comprising a first latching roller contacting the door plate when the door is in a closed position, a second latching roller contacting the door plate when the door is ajar, a U-shaped carrier, a shaft for each latching roller rotatably mounted in the arms of the carrier, a U-shaped retainer embracing the carrier whose arms prevent disassociation of the shafts and carrier, means for oscillatably mounting the carrier and parts associated therewith to efiect contact of the latching rollers and door plate, said door plate upon movement of the door initiating oscillation of the carrier and parts associated therewith through the latching roller contacted thereby, a U-shaped yoke having its base connected with the carrier, yoke brackets connected with the yoke arms and pivotally mounted laterally of the pivotal mounting of the carrier, and spring means on said yoke arms yieldably reacting on the yoke brackets for causing the yoke to complete the oscillation of the carrier and parts associated therewith and holding same in its oscillated position until reverse oscillation is initiated by the door.

7. A fastener of the class described, comprising in combination, a supporting bracket including a back, a pair of perforated arms extending in spaced parallelism at right angles to the back, a pair of angularly disposed wings providing feet for mounting the bracket upon a support, a

latching elements carrier of substantial U-shape,

including a back and a pair of spaced parallel arms, theulatter being fitted between the spaced arms ,of the supporting bracket, transverse pivot 5 means pivoting the carrier arms to the bracket arms-for, rockingly mounting the carrier within the, bracket, a yoke'shaft passing transversely through a pair of perforations in the bracket arms at a location remote from the arms of the carrier, a yoke bracket on each end of the yoke shaft, eachyoke bracket comprising a perforated outwardly directed leg, an inverted U-shaped yoke having a base, and a pair of spaced parallel arms each having a free end, the yoke arms passing through the leg perforations of the yoke brackets while the base of the yoke rests in edgecontact upon the carrier arms, a pair of compression springs one of which surrounds each' yoke arm between the yoke bracket leg and the free end of the yoke arm, and adjustable means on the free ends of the yoke arms to maintain a compressed condition of said springs.

'8. A fastener of the class described, comprising in combination, a supporting bracket including a back, a pair of perforated arms extending in spaced parallelism at right angles to the back, a pair of angularly disposed wings providing feet for mounting the bracket upon a support, a latching elements carrier of substantial U-shape, including a back and a pair of spaced parallel arms, the latter being fitted between the spaced arms of the supporting bracket, transverse pivot means pivoting the carrier arms to the bracket arms for rockingly mounting the carrier within the bracket, a pair of yoke brackets each having an end pivoted upon a bracket arm at a location remote from the carrier pivot means, each yoke bracket including a perforated angularly directed leg, an inverted U-shaped yoke havin a base, and a pair of spaced parallel arms each having a free end, the yoke arms passing through the leg perforations of the yoke brackets while the base of the yoke rests in edge-contact upon the carrier arms, and yielding means associated with the yoke arms to maintain the yoke base in yielding contact upon the carrier arms.

9. A fastener of the class described, comprising in combination, a supporting bracket including a back,,a pair of perforated arms extending in spaced parallelism at right angles to the back, a pair of angularly disposed wings providing feet for mounting the bracket upon a support, a latching elements carrier of substantial U-shape, including a back and a pair of spaced parallel arms, the latter being fitted between the spaced arms of the supporting bracket, transverse pivot means pivoting the carrier arms to the bracket arms for rockingly mounting the carrier within the bracket, a pair of yoke brackets each having an end pivoted upon a bracket arm at a location remote from the carrier pivot means, each yoke bracket including a perforated angularly directed leg, an inverted U-shaped yoke having a base, and a pair of spaced parallel arms 5 each having a free end, the yoke arms passing through the leg perforations of the yoke brackets while the base of the yoke rests in edge-contact upon the carrier arms, yielding means associatedwith the yoke arms to maintain the yoke base in yielding contact upon the carrier arms,

a displaceable cover enclosing the supporting bracket, the yoke, and said yielding means, and fastening means securing the cover to the supporting bracket.

10. In a door fastener, the combination which s eare 1 7 comprises, a supporting bracket including an upstanding back, a pair of spaced parallel upright arms integral with the back and disposed at an angle thereto, and a pair of angular-1y disposed wings providing feet for mounting the bracket upon a support, snap-action door fastening means on the bracket, and. a, cover fitted over thebr-acket to house the back, the arms, and the feet thereof.

11. In a door fastener, the combination which comprises, a supporting bracket including an upstanding back, a pair of spaced parallel upright arms integral with the back and disposed at an angle thereto, and a pair of angularly disposed wings providing feet for mounting the bracket upon a support, snap-action door fastening means 1,966,95

on the. bracket, a. cover fitted over the to house the back, the arms, and the feet thereof,

and means for detachably securing the cover to the and the reetof the bracket. 7

' CHASE BLUM.

, REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the V file of this patent:

m STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,045,12 Denitz 'et ai. Nov. 26, 1'9 1'2- 1;507,525 Stewart Sept. 2; 1924 Dunn July-17', 1934 

